Suspect was arrested visiting girlfriend at county jail

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Ronald Hughes, one of only a handful of suspects not swept up in a drug raid last week, walked into his arrest Saturday while trying to visit his girlfriend in jail.

“We were notified by state police that he may come and visit someone,” Schenectady County Undersheriff Gordon Pollard said Monday. “He happened to show up Saturday morning to visit someone.”

Hughes was taken into the facility and, instead of seeing his girlfriend, Misty Gallo, he was escorted to booking.

Hughes, 25, of Huron Court, was one of three suspects authorities could not find in Thursday’s sweep.

Authorities said Hughes is one of 24 people indicted in the federal, state and local drug investigation. Among those who were arrested Thursday morning was Lisa Kaczmarek, wife of former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek.

It was unclear if Hughes knew he was wanted by police when he went to the jail.

Hughes was described by authorities as a worker in the drug organization allegedly headed by Kerry Kirkem and Oscar Mora.

Hughes’ girlfriend, Gallo, is accused of being a drug mule, transporting drugs for Kirkem from Long Island to Schenectady. She has been held since her arrest in March, a development that evolved into the larger sweep.

Still being sought by authorities are Maximo Doe, 29, the alleged Long Island supplier, and Wilfred Cordero, 30, of Hegeman Street, described as a worker.

Authorities raided Doe’s residence in March, the same day raids occurred in Schenectady, arresting Kirkem, Mora, Gallo and another man. Doe, however, was nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, another man has been arrested in connection with Thursday’s raids.

Bradley J. Canton, 18, of 1612 Foster Ave., No. 2, has been charged with misdemeanor obstruction of governmental administration.

Authorities were there to arrest Hector Gomez, described as a worker in the drug ring.

Canton, however, told officers that Gomez was not there, according to papers filed in City Court.

Canton also then placed a large pit bull in the room where officers eventually found Gomez. Canton is not charged with participating in the drug operation.